Laurie Bergner
March 2025 - Holy Sadhu painting his face.
About the Image(s)
I traveled to India to see the Kumbh Mela gathering in 2019. You can see from this image what an incredible scene it was! It's the world's largest gathering, with something like 240 million people over a month there. Many are pilgrims, and the holy sadhus gather there to enjoy each other's company, smoke weed, and bless the many pilgrims who flock to see them.
ISO 400, 16 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 sec.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
10 comments posted
I like how you moved in close on one of the pilgrims who was applying his face paint in the field to get ready for the gathering. Very dramatic! The suggestions I have are minor: crop to allow room at the top of the man's head, the horizon line appears to drop down at the left, and a rain (?) spot to the right of the man. Nice job! Posted: 03/09/2025 12:51:45
This is a very good Photo. However, there is something is there on the upper right-hand corner, maybe you want to take that out. Also, near the sadhu's legs there are some brown clothes, if possible, maybe if you take that off. Love the beautiful light on Sadhu's face. Crowd behind is very classic.
One a personal note, as a practicing Hindu going to Kumbh Mela is on my bucket list for so many years. So far it never happened for me; something transpires, and the trip gets postponed, in that aspect I am jealous of you. Posted: 03/16/2025 15:01:06
One a personal note, as a practicing Hindu going to Kumbh Mela is on my bucket list for so many years. So far it never happened for me; something transpires, and the trip gets postponed, in that aspect I am jealous of you. Posted: 03/16/2025 15:01:06
Hi Pinaki - i'm not a practicing Hindu, but it really was an amazing experience. I was especially moved by all of the pilgrims and the excitement and in the air. Especially wonderful were people bathing in the water, whole families, young and old, and everyone so happy and excited. Posted: 03/23/2025 17:27:47
Posted: 03/23/2025 17:28:13
Great closeup, bravo. Pinaki, in photo travel you can't remove anything other than dust spots. Posted: 03/18/2025 15:36:34
The pose with the makeup mirror and his eyes make the photo for me. I think this would do well in the newly approved Photo Travel theme of People. There is an exhibition with a deadline in May that features that theme. Posted: 03/23/2025 17:20:09
Thanks - i'm not sure exactly where the photo travel with people section is. Posted: 03/23/2025 17:25:12
Go to the exhibition lists for May and look for Delaware Photographic Society exhibition that closes on May 15. Posted: 03/23/2025 19:52:16
This image should do well in competition. I think it also would do well in the Human Interest section of Photojournalism. I would like to see a bit more room at the top of the image. Posted: 03/23/2025 20:25:34
Thanks. I'd like to see more room at the top too, but apparently I didn't take it that way. Posted: 03/24/2025 09:32:14